Article • Employee experience

Elevating employee experience through practical, people-focused change

Three soldiers in camouflage uniforms stand on a crosswalk in front of a mobile food truck, each holding food items and condiments.

AAFCANS employs 280 people across 27 Defence Force bases throughout Australia, operating a network of canteens, cafés and food service outlets.

Following an employee engagement and alignment survey around leadership, communication and recognition, AAFCANS placed people at the centre of its strategic plan and delivered measurable improvements across the organisation. In 2025, engagement increased by 17% and alignment rose by 18%, moving from the bottom quartile to the top quartile of the Insync not-for-profit benchmark.

This case study explores how AAFCANS improved the employee experience through stronger leadership visibility, more flexible people practices and practical upgrades to workplace systems and processes.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • How leadership visibility and recognition improved employee trust and engagement
  • Ways AAFCANS supported flexibility in a non-hybrid workforce
  • The impact of improved systems, technology and workplace processes
  • Practical takeaways for organisations looking to strengthen employee experience
Document Name Category Solution File Type Link
Improving the team member experience at AAFCANS

See how AAFCANS lifted engagement and alignment by improving leadership visibility, people practices and everyday systems.

Case study Employee experience

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